Quick technical note: The first about 30 seconds or so are off balance. There was a problem with the hookup into my computer, so the vocal audio is very low in the introduction.
This week was a very special edition of Cognitive Dissonance called "Cognitive Dissonance Celebrates Equality!" Why? Because the Platte County School District #1 tore down the Anti-Defamation League's "No Place for Hate" campaign banners at Wheatland's high school and West Elementary school after five parents (supposedly) complained. I say supposedly because the principal has been quoted multiple times in the press as saying she never heard word one about them. Why would parents (supposedly) complain? Because the Gay and Lesbian Fund of Colorado was sponsoring this campaign, with several other sponsors, in 25 Wyoming and Colorado schools. The banners hung for nearly a year before anyone was "offended."
The school board's ultimate vote was 4-3 in favor of tearing the banners down. Many students and community members are outraged and are insisting the banners be hung again. There's quite a bit of information on the Wheaterville web site. We took public comment all night from Laramie community members, as well as from some brave souls who ventured from Wheatland. School board members will all be receiving CDs of this broadcast very soon. Here's some info on how to contact the board yourself:
Platte County School District #1
1350 Oak Street
Wheatland, WY 82201
Or give them a ring at 307.322.3175.
School Board Members:
Voted for tearing the banners down:
Kelly Tyson - Chairman
Clara Powers
Joe Fabian: "If this is the way one chooses, then they can lead this particular lifestyle, but I don't believe it needs to be publicly displayed in a school." And in response to statements from students about the program's policies on tolerance for other beliefs: "What if someone is of the persuasion that they are an Evangelical, who believes very strongly in witnessing? And that's a part of their being? You're saying that they can't do that. That's why I have problems with it, because you're restricting what somebody's beliefs may be." Finally: "I don't believe [homosexuality] is a normal lifestyle, but I don't have anything against them."
Lee Dunham: Wheatland is an "ultraconservative community," and "If this is the way one chooses, then they can lead this particular lifestyle, but I don't believe it needs to be publicly displayed in a school." Finally: "When we align ourselves with any organization, whether it be pro or con to our beliefs, we have committed ourselves to the same principles as those individuals, and I'm not sure Wheatland High School or PCSD#1 is [ready]."
Voted against tearing the banners down:
Dallas Mount
Chuck Ruwart
Jay Houx
Technical note: I had wanted to mention Wheatland grad Jeremy Bredeson's excellent website and post, "Gay Like Me" on my show, but I simply forgot to write it in the show log. As such, I forgot. So I still want to give him a shout-out here: www.givemamasomesugar.net
Check out the site and the post - all of it is excellent reading.
As for the rest of the show, Angry Malcontent reminded Obama the Lucy never let Charlie Brown kick the football and the fundits broke character to each speak as themselves on this issue. Yes, kids, here's the big reveal: The fundits aren't real people, they're caricatures of pundits. Whoa. D-bag o' the Week saw local and national d-bags getting called out with an assist from Matt Stannard. You can catch Matt on KOCA with "Sunday School" from 2-4 p.m. as he plays unsigned bands, b-sides and rarities and throws in a dash of political commentary for that perfect blend of spices.
Track Listing:
1. Moral Threat - Social Distortion
2. God And Country - Thermals
3. New York City Cops - The Strokes
4. Out Here in the Middle - James McMurtry
5. Every State Line - Ani DiFranco
6. God's Children - The Gutter Twins
7. American Girl - Tom Petty
8. Wasted Time - Kings of Leon
9. Never Gonna Change - Drive-By Truckers
10. Laramie - Amy Ray
11. Mama's Got a Girlfriend Now - Ben Harper
12. The Frown Song - Ben Folds
13. The Times They Are a Changin' - Asexuals
14. Underdogs - Manic Street Preachers
15. Mutes in the Steeple - Archers Of Loaf
16. Shepherds of the Nation - The Kinks
17. Laugh/Love/Fuck - The Coup
18. Lonely People - Talib Kweli (Feat. LaToiya Williams)
19. Conservative, Christian, Right-Wing Republican, Straight, White, American Males - Todd Snider
20. Defenders of Marriage - Anne Feeney
21. Pirate Radio - David Rovics
All music remains copyright the original artist.
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